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Caldera to put Linux into consumer gadgets

by Jan Howells, VNU Newswire

Linux software company Caldera Thin Clients plans to put the open source Unix operating system into consumer gadgets, such as set-top boxes and intelligent home electronics.

As part of its new strategy, the company today changed its name to the more consumer friendly Lineo. It is working on an embedded version of Linux called Embedix, based on Openlinux, a version of the software sold by Lineo's independent sister company, Caldera Systems.

Caldera Systems, which sells a Linux version for business use, will continue to develop, market and sell Openlinux to PC software markets.

"Caldera was the first company to invest heavily in the establishment of Linux as an acceptable business solution," said Bryan Sparks, chief executive of both Caldera Systems and the newly evolved Lineo. "Five years after forming Caldera, we are now launching Lineo for the purpose of defining the commercial embedded Linux marketplace and obtaining wide market implementation of this incredible operating system environment in compact devices worldwide," he added.

Lineo plans to position its technologies as a base for embedded solutions such as digital imaging devices, single task processors, Internet TV set-top devices, hand held devices, point of sale terminals, single board computers, networking infrastructure components and network computers.

Lineo will be going up against Microsoft which is working overtime to establish its Windows CE operating system as the de facto standard for similar devices.

Lineo is believed to be in discussions with a number of consumer electronics heavyweights to incorporate its system, including Sony.

Lineo also is working on a Web browser for Embedix called Embrowser, formerly called Webspyder and developed for Ms-Dos, confirmed the company. In addition, the company sells a software development system called Hurricane, for using Linux in devices.